Juan Jose Reyes is the founder and Executive Director of the Miami Street Photography Festival,
the premier event in this genre. Juan has cultivated MSPF into a cornerstone of the photography world, providing unparalleled exposure for participating artists.
He also co-founded the festival’s European partner, Street Photo Milano, in Milan, Italy offering a combined international platform that provides participating photographers with true worldwide exposure of their work.
With over a decade of experience in organizing workshops, Juan has facilitated the growth of aspiring street photographers worldwide. His structured teaching method, rooted in the Five Levels of Street Photography and The Three Styles of SP, reflects his profound knowledge and dedication to the craft. Furthermore, through MSPF-Workshops, he collaborates with leading photographers and educators to offer immersive learning experiences. Juan has been organizing Day of the Dead workshops in San Miguel de Allende since 2018, leveraging his deep knowledge of the city to enrich the experiences of participants.
Juan's journey in photography traces back to his college years, evolving into a dedicated focus on street photography since 2008
. Guided by luminaries like Jay Maisel and Alex Webb, he honed his craft and cultivated a distinctive style. His insights and experiences are shared through his street photography blog and contributions to esteemed publications in the field.
As executive director of MSPF, Juan oversees the panel judging of the “MSPF Finalists”, the final cut from among thousands of images submitted each year to MSPF and widely recognized as the best of contemporary street photography. He also runs MSPF-Workshops, which offers street photography workshops around the world with the best street and documentary photographers and educators including Magnum photographers Bruce Gilden and Nikos Economopoulos.
His teaching method is based on the Five Levels of Street Photography And The Three Styles of Street Photography. This is a structured approach that he developed after ten years of learning from all the world-class speakers that have been featured at the Miami Street Photography Festival. He teaches classes online as well al workshops in Miami, FL.
In 2012 he started the Miami Street Photography Festival which has grown since then into a major international event held every December in Miami during Art Basel Miami, one of the leading art fairs in the world. MSPF is an international festival showcasing the best of contemporary street and documentary photography and has featured some of the best names in photography such as David Alan Harvey, Constantine Manos, Susan Meiselas, Bruce Gilden, Alex Webb, Martin Parr and many others. MSPF offers talks, lectures, portfolio reviews and exhibitions as well as contests that are open to anyone around the world.
In 2018, Juan expanded his vision by co-founding Street Photo Milano in Milan, Italy, fostering cultural exchange through cross-continental exhibitions. This initiative has garnered widespread acclaim, drawing thousands to galleries in two major cities each year.
Juan was born in Paraguay and moved to the United States over thirty years ago to practice medicine. He is a board-certified pediatrician and besides photography, he is very interested in yoga, meditation and integrative medicine. He currently lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL and Asuncion Paraguay
Check out his portfolio here:
INSTAGRAM @jjreyes_t
Website: miamistreetphotographyfestival.org
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
NEW YORK, NY
Overview
Join us for an immersive 5-day street photography workshop in the vibrant streets of New York City, led by Juan Jose Reyes, Director of the Miami Street Photography Festival. From June 17 to June 22, you will explore the dynamic urban environment of one of the world’s most photogenic cities. The workshop includes morning sessions with in-depth critique and feedback, as well as extensive shooting sessions across iconic NYC locations. Additionally, Juan will teach his acclaimed "Five Levels of Street Photography" and "Three Styles of Street Photography" frameworks, offering participants a structured approach to mastering the art of capturing compelling images.
A special highlight will be on June 21, when we attend the world-famous Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. This vibrant and eccentric event showcases an explosion of creativity, with participants donning elaborate costumes inspired by sea creatures and nautical themes. The parade offers endless opportunities for capturing vivid colors, dynamic compositions, and the unique energy of one of New York’s most beloved traditions.
Why New York City?
New York City is a street photographer’s dream. Its streets pulse with life, offering an unparalleled variety of subjects, from the iconic architecture of Manhattan to the vibrant cultures of its diverse neighborhoods. The city’s parks, markets, and squares provide ever-changing canvases of human interaction and urban storytelling. Whether you’re capturing candid moments in Washington Square Park or the bustling energy of Union Square, New York inspires creativity at every turn.
Workshop Highlights
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Daily Critique & Feedback: Mornings will be dedicated to analyzing participants’ work. Juan Jose Reyes will offer personalized critiques to help refine your vision and technical skills.
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On-the-Street Practice: Guided by Juan, you’ll learn to anticipate and capture decisive moments in real-time.
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Mermaid Parade: Experience one of NYC’s most colorful and photogenic events, with endless opportunities for creative expression.
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Iconic Locations: Capture the essence of NYC with shoots in Washington Square Park, Union Square, Herald Square, and the iconic 5th Avenue.
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Expert Frameworks: Learn Juan’s "Five Levels of Street Photography" and "Three Styles of Street Photography" frameworks to enhance your understanding and practice of the craft.
Description
In this workshop, Juan will review basic and advanced concepts of street photography and how to create images that are interesting, and compelling.
Juan will teach a framework called The Five Levels and the Three Styles of Street Photography. It is a shooting and editing tool that was developed after ten years of working directly with world-class photographers who have been featured in the Miami Street Photography Festival and with whom he runs workshops around the world. Some of those photographers include Magnum photographers Alex Webb, Nikos Economopoulos, and Bruce Gilden. The workshop is designed to also help you identify photos with the potential to win photo contests based on Juan's experience overseeing the judging panel of the largest street photography contest in the world, The Miami Street Photography Festival contest, widely recognized as the event that showcases the best of contemporary street photography.
Some of the topics we will cover:
The Three Styles of Street Photographers
The Five Levels of Street Photography
Basics of street photography, definition, and boundaries, equipment, etc
How to shoot people on the streets
The one question to ask yourself every time you edit your photos
What are Visual Push-Ups and why do you need them
Sample Itinerary ( all locations can vary depending on weather and/or events/activities in the city)
Note: You can shoot with the group or on your own at any time. Feel free to explore the city on your own.
Day 1: Tuesday June 17
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Morning: 9AM - 12PM Classroom session: The Three Styles of Street Photographers / The Five Levels of Street Photography. Assignments and tips for the week
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Afternoon: 4PM Shooting session at Washington Square Park. Explore the park’s vibrant mix of musicians, chess players, and students. Note: You can shoot with the group or on your own at any time
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8PM Group dinner ( Included)
Day 2: Wednesday June 18
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Morning 9AM - 12PM Classroom session: Review and feedback on Day 1 photos.
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Afternoon 4PM Shooting session with Juan in Herald Square and Fifth Avenue.
Day 3: Thursday June 19
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Morning: 9AM - 12PM Classroom session Critique of Day 2 work.
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Afternoon: 4PM Shooting session with Juan in Union Square. Capture the hustle of the farmer’s market and the dynamic interactions of street performers and locals ( if available)
Day 4: Friday June 20
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Morning 9AM - 12PM Classroom session Critique of Day 3 work.
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Afternoon: Explore a neighborhood of your choice, guided by Juan’s advice on maximizing creative opportunities.
Day 5: Saturday June 21
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Morning: Attend the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. Capture the vibrant costumes, lively crowds, and seaside energy.
Day 6: June 22
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Morning: 8AM - 12PM Final critique session. Review and select your best images for a showcase. Workshop wrap-up, group discussion, and farewell.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is ideal for photographers of all levels who are passionate about street photography. Whether you’re a beginner seeking to sharpen your skills or an experienced photographer looking for fresh inspiration, this workshop offers invaluable guidance and an unforgettable experience.
DATES June 17-22, 2025
TUITION $1,995
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
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One group dinner on the first night.
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Five levels and Three styles of Street Photography (C) class
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Daily classroom review and feedback
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Daily shooting sessions either with Juan or your own.
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F/U session a month after the workshop ends (Online)
LOCATION New York City, NY USA
NOT INCLUDED: Hotel accommodations, plane tickets, travel expenses, meals (except as noted above).
Juan will give recommendations for hotels and areas to stay.
HOW TO REGISTER Fill out the registration form below to save your spot